5 Minutes for Books: Kids’ Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse

I admit it. I am a complete sucker for cake design books. Maybe it’s because I’m a wedding photographer, but cakes and cupcakes to me are art. I’ve just reviewed another book Celebrating Cupcakes and Muffins at 5 Minutes for Books. Please click through and read that review as well, because we all loved those recipes!

They might possibly be my favorite art form (somewhat regrettably) and whenever I see a cake design book I just HAVE to take a peek inside. I kid myself into thinking that it’s possible for me to create such awesome and wonderful cakes myself. A mommy can dream, right?

This book exceeded my expectations for charm, sheer brilliance and personal inspiration. Authors Liv Hansen and Kaye Hansen design amazing looking cakes. This book focuses on the fun you can have with children’s desserts. In the introduction Kaye says, “This book is for the kids and for the kid in us all. I know I am still a kid at heart and I think that deserves a party.” Amen and Amen! The rest of the book is shared genius, from tips to getting started, some icing recipes, fillings, the basics of cake assembly and patterns for you to following in designing and decorating the cakes which are pictured in this book.

Beyond that though they also provide party ideas focused on particular themes. For example: If you’d like to throw an “Enchanted Tea Party”, these Hansen women provide a recipe for “Pixie Play Dough”, a Woodland Fairies Cake, edible magic wands, tea cup cupcakes and more. (As a mother of boys, I looked through this section and my desire to have a girl next grew all the more stronger!) The ideas and designs in this book are fantastic!

I thoroughly enjoyed browsing this book and have several pages bookmarked for future use. I don’t know about you, but I’m the type that likes to glean information for both family parties and gatherings for friends. My son is a particular fan of sea life and there is a recipe and pattern design in this book for a Sand Castle Cake which I think we’re just going to have to make at some point this summer. In my opinion, cakes are not just for special occasions – they are for making occasions all the more special. Anything that helps prompt some creativity, is going to be favored in my sight. As I was able to gather some really awesome ideas for this summer and then further on down the road, Kids’ Cakes from the Whimsical Bakehouse is definitely favored.

I’m delighted to now have a copy of this book in my possession. I’m further delighted (just all aquiver, really!) to offer a giveaway copy to one of you. The Crown Publishing Group at Random House has offered one copy to one of our readers. This contest is open to U.S. Residents only.

Leave a comment if you’d like to win. The winner will be announced here in the 5 Minutes for Books column on Monday 7/19.

I hope that you will find this book to be just the inspiration you need to delight a small child – or a big one! – in a ‘whimsical’ way! Have fun!

Carrie enjoys cakes and cupcakes far more than she really should. She definitely enjoys reading books about these delicious desserts and blogs about them as infrequently as she possibly can over on her own book blog, Reading to Know.